Impress with this easy Baked Asian Salmon with Maple Glaze. An easy recipe that takes only 30 minutes from prep to table. The salmon is slightly sweet and so moist and tender that it just melts in your mouth. The perfect low-carb dinner when served over tasty garlic spinach. A healthy dinner for busy weeknights and delicious enough for company.
Baked Maple Glazed Salmon
I like to balance my meal plan each week with at least 2-3 servings of fish to add important omega 3′s to the family diet. I also get tired of chicken and beef all the time and happen to love fish, so it works out all around.
Salmon is always a great choice as it is low in calories and fat, high in protein and omega 3′s as well as a good source for B6, B12, selenium, thiamine, and niacin.
Maple Glazed Salmon is a quick and easy choice for a healthy dinner.
I love salmon and how quick and easy it is to prepare. A few of my all-time favorites are Grilled Salmon with Red Pepper Sauce, Grilled Cajun Salmon with Cucumber Lime Salsa, and my easy, 2-ingredient Baked Bloody Mary Salmon.
This baked Asian salmon recipe, which I found originally on epicurious.com and adapted to fit our tastes, is another winner. It's become a new go-to favorite in our house. Just look at how tender and flaky it comes out!
Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Salmon
How do you know when salmon is done?
Salmon will flake easily with a fork when it is finished cooking. It should be moist-looking and slightly pink. If you need to use a thermometer, the thickest part of the fish should be at an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
What is the best salmon to eat?
Wild Alaskan Salmon is healthier and has a lower fat and calorie count than farmed salmon. I love King Salmon the best, it is the highest in fat but has such a lovely silken texture to it that it is well worth the extra cost. The second one I prefer is sockeye salmon, followed by coho.
Can you eat the salmon skin?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to eat as long as you purchased a quality piece of salmon. In fact, some people include it in their diet for the additional nutrients. I remove the skin for this recipe but have eaten it when pan-frying a fish and it becomes crisp.
What is the white stuff oozing out of the salmon when cooked?
It is just coagulated protein and is harmless and OK to consume. Scientists say it is the muscle fibers contracting as the fish cooks that push the fish’s internal protein out. By the way, you can sound really brainy and let everyone know that this protein is called albumin. lol
Easy Steps to Make Asian Baked Salmon with Maple Glaze
Prepare the maple syrup glaze for fish first.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter. (photo 1)
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes. (photo 2)
- Add maple syrup and a pinch of red pepper flakes. (photo 3)
- Pour in soy sauce. (photo 4)
- Drizzle in lime juice and continue cooking for 3 minutes. (photo 5)
- Combine cornstarch with water and stir into the sauce stirring continuously until it thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside. (photo 6)
The Asian salmon glaze will have a nice thick consistency.
- Cut fillets into individual portions and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet. (photo 7)
- Spread maple glaze over each fillet. (photo 8)
- Bake for about 15 minutes. You will see a wonderful glossy glaze on the top of each fillet.
How to make garlic spinach
Make the spinach while the Asian glazed salmon is baking.
- Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large saucepan and turn the pan a few times to evenly coat the bottom. Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Add spinach.
- All the spinach should fit in a large skillet.
- It will cook down to look like this. A 9-oz bag of fresh spinach is perfect for 2 people.
I like to serve my maple baked salmon with either jasmine rice, riced cauliflower, or quinoa to keep this a healthy low-carb, gluten-free dinner. Use riced cauliflower and it works beautifully for whole30 or paleo diets.
Plate the rice or cauliflower then top with garlic spinach and an Asian Salmon fillet. Spoon any leftover maple glaze over the finished dish.
Check out that beautiful flaky fish! An easy, healthy dinner of Maple Soy Glazed Salmon with garlic spinach is sure to be a favorite. Enjoy!
More Healthy Seafood Dinners for Busy Weeknights
Mahi Mahi with Pineapple Salsa is a healthy grilled dinner with fresh ingredients.
Perfect Paella is a quick and easy meal you can make in 30 minutes.
Salmon Burger with Creamy Lime Basil Sauce from Hungry Healthy Happy
Air Fryer Salmon with lemon butter sauce.
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Baked Asian Salmon with Maple Glaze
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic divided
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 3 Tablespoons Tamari soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch substitute arrowroot or tapioca for Whole30 & Paleo diets
- 1 teaspoon water
- 2 salmon fillets 4 oz each
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 package 9 oz fresh spinach
- 2 teaspoons black sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare cookie sheet by lining with aluminum foil.
- In small saucepan, melt butter, then saute ½ teaspoon garlic and pepper flakes for 1-2 minutes.
- Add maple syrup, soy sauce and lime juice and continue cooking for 3 minutes.
- Combine cornstarch with water and stir into sauce stirring continuously until thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
- Place salmon fillets on prepared cookie sheet and brush 1-2 teaspoons of glaze over each fillet.
- Bake in oven for 15 minutes or until salmon flakes easily when pierced with fork.
- While salmon fillets are baking, prepare spinach.
- Place 1 teaspoon of olive oil in large saucepan and turn the pan a few times to evenly coat bottom.
- Heat oil over medium heat then add ½ teaspoon of garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes.
- Add spinach leaves so they sit in an even layer in the bottom of the pan. (Work in batches if working with large amount of spinach)
- Turn the leaves over with a spatula as they wilt.
- Remove from pan as soon as wilted. Set aside.
- To serve: Place desired amount of rice on each plate, top with ½ of spinach then with salmon fillet. Drizzle with desired amount of maple-lime sauce.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Salmon
How do you know when salmon is done?
Salmon will flake easily with a fork when it is finished cooking. It should be moist-looking and slightly pink. If you need to use a thermometer, the thickest part of the fish should be at an internal temperature of 145 degrees.What is the best salmon to eat?
Wild Alaskan Salmon is healthier and has a lower fat and calorie count than farmed salmon. I love King Salmon the best, it is the highest in fat but has such a lovely silken texture to it that it is well worth the extra cost. The second one I prefer is sockeye salmon, followed by coho.Can you eat the salmon skin?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to eat as long as you purchased a quality piece of salmon. In fact, some people include it in their diet for the additional nutrients. I remove the skin for this recipe but have eaten it when pan frying a fish and it becomes crisp.What is the white stuff oozing out of the salmon when cooked?
It is just coagulated protein and is harmless and OK to consume. Scientists say it is the muscle fibers contracting as the fish cooks that push the fish’s internal protein out.Nutrition
This post has been updated with new photos and instructions. Post was originally published on September 7, 2014.
